Media Contacts
Ellen Montgomery
Director, Public Lands Campaign, Environment America
ATLANTA — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced Friday that it will expand the boundaries of the area that could be part of the Okeefenokee National Wildlife Refuge by about 22,000 acres. Taking this step allows the agency to buy land from willing sellers or offer conservation easements. The purchase could help protect this proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site from a proposed titanium mine.
FWS said in its statement that, “Potential conservation actions on the lands within the boundary expansion could strengthen protection of the hydrological integrity of the swamp, provide habitat for the gopher tortoise, mitigate impacts of wildfires, and provide opportunities for longleaf pine restoration to benefit the red-cockaded woodpecker.” The agency added that a larger refuge could enhance “hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, and education” for 400,000-plus annual visitors.
The announcement follows a 55-day period during which the public submitted approximately 30,000 comments “generally supportive of the proposal,” with more than 12,000 coming from supporters of Environment Georgia and its national network.
In response, Environment America’s Public Lands Campaign Director Ellen Montgomery released the following statement:
“People around the world have recognized the Okeefenokee as a site of “outstanding universal value” for decades. It’s great to see our government act to preserve this priceless treasure.
“Proposed titanium mining could cause lasting damage to this unique freshwater ecosystem. This move from the Fish and Wildlife Service is a strong first step toward keeping mines further from the Okeefenokee’s pristine waters.
“Kudos to the Fish and Wildlife Service for living up to its name and protecting fish and wildlife from toxic titanium. We call on Governor Kemp and his administration to take the next step and deny the permits for the Twin Pines Minerals mine proposed near the refuge.”
